How Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is promoted in Bangladesh?: A Critical Evaluation of the Advertisements Published in Local Newspapers

Abstract

Majority of population are still using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Bangladesh. Many of the CAM providers are engaged in the advertising of various remedial methods for numerous diseases in the local newspapers of the country. This exploratory study investigated such advertisements collected from some renowned newspapers of Bangladesh. Most of the advertisements in those newspapers were found to focus mainly on the conditions related to sex and sexuality. Other major manifestations reported were related to psychological, cancers related and gynecological issues. Exaggerated and incongruent treatment claims were very common with 100% money-back treatment guarantee in some advertisements. Homeopathy system claimed to treat all possible cancers of human being. Advertisements of CAM in the newspapers of Bangladesh appear to be misleading, which may have potentials to misdirect patients from seeking better treatment options for their ailments.